Ron Paul Can Win

I have thought from the beginning of the campaign that Dr. Paul has a chance to win the presidency. As time passes I like his chances more and more. There are signs that are making me increasingly optimistic.

One of these signs is the continued strength on the internet. The number of people visiting sites like the Daily Paul is increasing. Web based donations remain strong and I’m sure they will spike again near deadlines and million dollar increments as that is the way donations go. If there is a poll on the net Ron Paul will win it. “Google Ron Paul” is sweeping the country.

The 1960 presidential election is widely regarded as the first one dominated by television. Some time in the future we will look back and discuss the first presidential election dominated by the internet. If 2008 is to be that election, then I like Dr. Paul’s chances.

What makes the internet so vital is the way it allows for interactivity among Ron Paul supporters. Through things like MeetUp groups a grassroots campaign has just exploded. Suddenly you can get in contact with other like-minded people. And there is strength in numbers. It gives volunteers great hope when they can easily meet others locally and combine their efforts. Whether it is to work a booth at a fair, hang signs, take part in a walk, attend a rally or just get together to watch a debate on television, it energizes a person when they have the support of others. And I think especially so when you realize how diverse our group is. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Constitutionalists and Greens all take part in my primary MeetUp group. Talk about a big tent!

And why do we have such a diverse group? There is only one answer. As Dr. Paul says so simply and so eloquently, “Freedom is popular.”

Dr. Paul is quick to point out that this is not about him, it is about the message. And the message is freedom. It is not just Dr. Paul’s message. It is our message as well. And it is certainly the message of the founding fathers of our great republic.

As a grassroots movement with a popular message we are doing something else that is causing my optimism to increase. We are wearing down the main stream media. The third quarter fund raising effort was a great step forward in this regard. It was something that just could not be ignored. The continued high attendance level at rallies is finally beginning to be noticed. As the media slowly gets it into their heads that there are a lot of us out here and that we are people who buy things from their advertisers they will be giving us more and more coverage.

All too often the coverage that the campaign has gotten so far has been of a dismissive or skeptical nature. But little by little the overall attitude seems to be changing. Now there seems to be a “maybe we should be paying attention to this guy” slant to the coverage. It is still too little and too often inaccurate at best and intentionally misleading at worst. But the interview on the PBS NewsHour last week set a new standard for positive coverage, in my opinion. Also we’ve had two representatives of CNBC who felt it necessary to engage in open dialogue with Ron Paul supporters recently. Then on Sunday Tim Russert jokingly begged the Paulites not to overwhelm him with e-mails since he had found time to speak of Dr. Paul. Can Keith Olbermann be far behind?

The debates offer a positive sign also. We have all noticed how the other candidates have begun to steal Ron Paul’s message of obeying the Constitution. In some generally insignificant way they say they are for following the law of the land even though their political records and previous words and actions show their disdain for both the Constitution and their constituents. But just the fact that they are mouthing the words shows that they are aware of Dr. Paul and of us and they are worried.

But more important than the media at this time is the continuing grassroots effort and the way the campaign is gathering support and strength exponentially. People who have learned about Dr. Paul via the internet are passing that information on. They are informing their family, friends and neighbors. And out of this new circle of supporters comes even more support. An idea I really like was posted by kipload on the Daily Paul, taking a DVD with information on Ron Paul to others who don’t use computers. The PBS interview would be great for this.

I have been supporting Dr. Paul since he announced his intention to run. Since that time I have watched the revolution continue to grow with no signs of slowing down. In fact we should expect a surge in support as we approach the primaries and more previously disinterested people hear our message. I look for Dr. Paul to do well in the early states. New Hampshire and Wyoming especially have a libertarian streak about them. And early success will breed more success as the bandwagon jumpers who want to back a winner get on board. So let’s keep on working hard and moving forward with the campaign. We have momentum and we are gaining strength as the primaries approach. The stars are getting into alignment. We can do this. We can take back our country. We can elect Dr. Ron Paul as the next President of the United States.